Building structure



July 15, 1952 c. RIGGLE BUILDING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1946 WM 4 m 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. C. RIGGLE BUILDING STRUCTURE July 15, 1952 Filed July 9, 1946 July 15, 1952 c. RIGGLE BUILDING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 9, 1946 ll.r l

L. c. RIGGLE 2,603,317

BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed July 9, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 COLUMN 1 Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING STRUCTURE Lyman C. Riggle, Chicago, 111.

Application July 9, 1946, Serial No. 682,406

4 Claims. (Cl. 189-1) This invention relates to a building Structure utilizing novel bimetallic supporting columns.

All exposed structures other than heated buildings are subject to considerable changes in dimensions of the elements of the structure with variations in temperature, resulting in severe temperature stresses, especially in the supporting columns. Examples of such structures are elevated highways, unheated mill buildings and athletic stadia.

Heretofore, several methods of reducing these thermally created temperature stresses have been utilized but have not been completely satisfactory. For example, expansion joints have been included at intervals of 100 to 125 feet in the structure. Such joints are expensive, troublesome, and invariably leak. In elevated highways these expansion joints are bumpy and their maintenance is a source of constant expense. Furthermore, the temperature stresses on the columns require a heavier column section than would otherwise be required. The bending moments induced in the columns by temperature changes cause an eccentricity of load on the footing, as the changes in length of horizontal girders displace the tops of the columns from their normal position directly above the bases of the columns, thus necessitating an increase in footing size and an increase in the number ofpiles in pile footings.

In solving the difiiculties set forth above, I have not attempted to eliminate bending of the column but I have eliminated the temperature stresses in the columns by providing a building structure utilizing novel bimetallic columns. These columns take advantage of the difference in the thermal co-eflicients of expansion of two dissimilar materials so that the column automatically curves itself to accommodate itself to the movements of the top of the column due to changes in temperature.

It is a primary object of my invention to eliminate temperature stresses on the upright columns of metallic building structures.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel structural element which automatically accommodates itself to changes in temperature.

Another object of my invention is to provide a building structure utilizing 2a structural element which automatically accommodates itself to changes in temperature.

A further object of my invention is to provide a temperature compensating column which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which is completely automatic in operation.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a method of eliminating temperature stresses in metal building structures.

These and other objects of the invention will i be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing one side of a structure utilizing my novel temperature compensating column;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the column positioned furthest from the center column;

Fig. 3 is a transverse elevational view of the column shown in Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 through '7 are cross-sectional views taken 'on lines 4-4, 5.5, 6-6, and 1-'-1, respectively, of Fig. 2;

Figs. 8 through 13 are similar to Figs. 2 through 7 but showing the column positioned next inwardly toward the center column from the column shown in Figs. 2 through 7;

Figs. 14 through 20 are similar to Figs. 2 through 7 but showing the column positioned next inwardly toward the central column from the column shown in Figs 8 through 13; and

Figs. 21 through 23 are diagrams showing the columns shown in Figs. 2 through 7, 8 through 13, and 14 through 20, respectively, after a F. temperature rise above the mean according to an actual example of the structure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawings, a structure is shown in Fig. 1 in which a horizontal I beam girder 50 is supported by an end column 51 positioned furthest from the center of the structure, column 52 positioned next in order toward the center, then column 53, column 54, and'finally center column 55. Similar elements (not shown) are positioned in reverse order on the right side of the center column. s

Columns 51 through 53 which arefthe only ones subject to appreciable deformation during temperature changes are composite columns fabricated of steel and aluminum. Aluminum has approximately twice the coefficient of expansion of steel-and this fact is taken advantage of in accomplishing the objects of the invention.

As shown in Fig 2, column 51 has its upper portion composed of three aluminum plates 56, 51, and 58 on the left side and one steel plate 59 on the right side, the right side being the side toward the center of the structure. In the example shown, plates 56 and 58 are slightly longer than plate 51. Plate 59 is a steel plate of approximately the same length as plate 51. The upperends' of plates 56,51 and 58 are flush while the lower ends of plates 56 and 58 extend beyond the'lower end of plate 51 which is somewhat shorter than plates 56 and 58. Plates 56, 51, and 58 are riveted together by aluminum rivets 60 at the points where the rivets touch only aluminum, while steel rivets are used ,where the rivets touch steel and aluminum or steel alone.

The lower half of the left side of column 5| is 9 comprised of a single steel plate 52 of substantially the same dimensions as plate 59. "Platet! at its upper end extends into the space between the lower ends of plates 5'6 and 58 and abuts the lower end of plate 57, three steel rivets 63'being passed through the splice.

On the lower right side of column 5| are aluminum plates 64, 55 and 66, plates 64 and 66 being of substantially the same dimensions as plates 56 and 58, and plate '65being of thesame dimensions as plate 51. The splice at the point of meeting of plates 64, 55 and 66 with plate 59 three is similar to the splice where plate 62 is joined to plates 56.and 58. Bent steel plates 5I'a. are the same as plates BI but are inverted and are spaced similarly to plates BI starting from the lower end of the column. The two bent plates BI and 5Ia immediately adjacent the center of the column are substantially equidistant from the point where plate 62 abuts plate 51 and plate 59 abuts plate 65. I v I, At the top of column 5|, asteel top plate. 61 slightly wider than the horizontal I beam 50 is mounted on the end of the column by means of a pair of steel angles 68 each having two'bolt holes and riveted one to plates 55, 51, 58 and one to plate 59. Angles 68 are welded to the top plate 67- which has four bolt holes 69 aligned with the bolt holes in angles 68 for bolting the column to I beam 50 by bolts 70.

u The structure at the base of the column is similar to that at the top with four bolts I2 passing through angles 73 and base plate 74 to anchor the base-of the column.

i Column 52 is shown in detail in Figs. 8 through 13 and; is quite similar to 5| in that it has upper aluminum plates 36, 87 and 88 corresponding'to plates 55through58 in Fig. 2 andhasan upper steelplate 63 correspondingto plate 59 in Fig.2. Plates 88 and 89 are spaced by U-shaped bent steel plates 98 riveted to the vertical plates .86 through 83 and positioned in pairs facing outwardly along the length of the columns Thelower part of column 52 is generally the same as that of-column 5|, having a steel plate .92 on the left side, the upper end of which, is spliced between the lower ends of aluminum plates by rivets 93. On the right side of the column, three aluminum plates 94, 95} and SIS-are spliced to upper steel plate 89 in the same manner that plates 86, 81 and 88 are spliced to plate 92. The construction at the top and bottom of column 52 is generally the same as incolumn 5|, there being at the top a horizontal steel plate 97 welded to steel angles 98 which are rivetedto the upright elements. Bolts I00 pass through the horizontal I beam, through plate 91 and through angles 93., At the-base'of the column, anchor bolts I62 pass through angles I33 and base 'plate I84 to anchor the column to the footing (not shown). Angles I03 are riveted to the upright elements and are welded to the base plate.

It will beapparent from the above description that column 52 is quite similar to column 5|. However, theupright plates of column 52 are slightly heavier than those of column 5| and the top and bottom horizontal plates are slightly larger. The spacing between each steel plate and the three parallel aluminum plates is greater in column 52.

Column 53 as shown in general in Fig. 1 and in detail in Figs. 14 through 20 is quite different from columns 5| and 52 in the relative lengths of the aluminum plates and the steel plates. The three upper aluminum plates H6, H1, and H8 extend only roughly a fourth of the length of the column while steel plate I I9 extends roughly three-fourths of the length of the column. The same is true of lower aluminum plates I24, I25 and I26 and lower steel plate I22. U-shaped ,bentsteel plates I2! and I 2Ia separate the steel plates from the aluminum. The top of column 53 is similar to columns 5| and 52 and has top plate I21, upper angles I28 and bolts I30. The bottom is also similar to columns 5| and 52 and has bolts I32, angles I33 and a base plate I34.

The width and thickness of the plates of ,column 53 are about the same as those of column 52 and the spacing between plates is about the same. It will be noted that U-shaped plates I2 Ia which contact both steel and aluminum are spaced further apart than plates I2I which contact only steel.

The differences in the dimensions of the various columns is due to the differences in load which they support and to the fact that the upper ends of the columns farthest from the center of the structure must move more than the upper ends of columns nearer to the center.

- Columns 54 and 55 as shown in Fig. l are conveniently comprised of conventional steel columns. Column 55, being the center column, would not need to be a temperature compensating column. Column 54 is so near to the center that the movement of its upper end due to changes in the length of horizontal girder 50 with changes in temperature would probably be too small to warrant the design and manufacture of a temperature compensating column similar to columns 5|, 52, and 53. It is sufficient for column 54 to be designed to take the temperature stresses according to conventionalmeans known to anyone skilled in the art. Of course a temperature compensating column could be used for column 54, if desired. H I

In an actual example of this structure, columns 5| through 55 were spaced fifty feet'apart so that column 5| is 200 feet from the center column 55 of the structure, column 52 is 150 feet from the center, column 53 is feet from the center, and column 54 is 50 feet from the center. All of the columns are 20 feet high.

In this sample structure, the following dimensions were found desirable:

Column 51 Part Dimension Plates 56, 58, 64 and 66 10 x x l03".

Plates 57 and 65 10 X x 9-ll. Plates 59 and G2 10" x 'x 9ll". Distance between plates 58 and 59 4%. Distance from centerline of plate 57 to center- 6".

line of plate 59. Bent plates 61 1/ x 5 n x x Distance from point of abutment of plates 57 7.

and 62 to adjacent plates 61.

1 diameter.

' "Part" 1 Dimension Plates 86, 88, 94 and 96 Plates 87 and 95. Plates 89 and 92 12'. x x 9l1". Distance betweenplates 88 and'89'. 6%; Distance from ce'nterlineIoi plate 87.to' center- 8". i ,lineofplate89... 3

' 1 3!! x 6% x I.

' and '92 to centers of adjacent plates 90 Distance between other plates 90. Angles 98 Distance between plates 118 and ll Distance from centerline of plate 117 to centerline of plate 119 8".

Bent plates'l2l 3" x 7% x x 5".

Distance between centers of plates l2la 1-l0%.

Distance between centers of plates 121 1-6%" Angles 128 8" x 4" x 4 x196. Angles 133 8 x6 x M x l6. Plate 127.-- 18 x1 x l8. Plate 134 18 x l x 2.

Holes for bolts l 1% diameter.

Holes for bolts l32 l Bolts 130 and 132 1" diameter.

In this structure, all rivets touching aluminum only are 4" diameter aluminum rivets. All other rivets are diameter steel rivets.

In a. structure built according to the measurements set forth above, the diagrams shown in Figs. 21 through 23 illustratethe deformation of columns 5|, 52 and 53, respectively for a 60 F. temperature rise. These diagrams assume a mean temperature of 60 F. for a structure used near the th parallel of latitude and a temperature change of 60 F. above and below the mean is usually provided for.

As shown in Figs. 21 through 23, for a 60 F. rise in temperature above the mean, the upper end of column 5| deviates .078 from the normal position, the upper end of column 52 moves .058, and the upper end of column 53 moves .039.

In this example, the following design data were used:

Mod. of elasticity of steel, 30,000,000 #lin.

Mod. of elasticity of aluminum, 10,000,000 #lin. Coefficient of expansion of steel taken as .0000065. Coeflicient of expanison of aluminum taken as .000013. 1 Figures contain 900 #/in 2 temperature stress.

The design of temperature compensating columns to fit various structural needs can be accomplished in the following manner: Knowing the material of the horizontal girders and their lengths, it is a simple matter by utilizing the coefficient of expansion of the girder material to calculate the amount of movement of the upper end of a column which will be necessary for a column a given distance from the center of the structure.

6 Lei; 'E 'represent' the required movement at thetop oi the column. Then E/z'is the required movement atthe center point-of 'the column. Let R" represent the radiusof curvature of each 'end portion of the column." (In Fig. 21', R=1282'.) Where L equals one-half the length of the "column, B, may be calculated from-the formuIa -f We now have the radius R required to give the movementfiE at th'e'top of thecolumn'.

Let S equal the lengthening of the'aluminum side of the column dueto the greater expansion of the aluminum. Then L+S. equals .the expanded length of thealuminum.side ofthe column, looking at either the upper J or lower part of the column. 'Then to? find the 'depth*""D of thLcOlllHlIl required to give the desired movement -E at the top of the column, the following formula is used:

The, depth "D is'taken as the distance between the centerline of the center aluminum plate and the centerlineof the steel.platefonthe'other side of'the column. For example, in column 52,-the distance D is the distance'between the centerline of plates 81 and 89.

An important result of this invention will be the increased use of aluminum in the structural field. Aluminum, desirable because of its light weight, has been difiicult to use because of its large coeilicient of expansion, but can now be used to a much greater extent in unheated metal building structures. In steel structures, expansion joints may be entirely dispensed with or, if used, can be spaced 400 to 500 feet apart.

While I have described my invention with reference to a presently preferred embodiment thereof, I am aware of the fact that certain changes may be made in the device herein shown and described without departing from the spirit and full intended scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A structure having at least one elongated structural element of a material which expands and contracts due to temperature changes and at least one column secured at one end to said structural element at an angle with respect thereto, the other end of said column being fixedly mounted to datum, said column comprising two constituent connected members located on opposite sides of the center line of the column, said members being spaced longitudinally along said element but in adjacent parallel relationship to each other, the one of said members facing in the direction of expansion of said element having a coefiicient of thermal expansion less than the other of said members, whereby'said column will flex laterally to compensate for expansion or contraction in the length of said structural element caused by temperature changes.

2. A structure having at least one elongated structural element of a material which expands and contracts due to temperature changes and at least one column secured at one end to said structural element at an angle with respect thereto, the other end of said column being fixedly mounted to datum, said column comprising two constituent connected members located on opposite sides of the center line of the column, in spaced but adjacent parallel relationship to each other, one of said members having a coefficient of thermal expansion less than the other ofsa-id members, and located on the side of saidcolumn facingv the direction in which said structural element expands with: increases in temperature, whereby said column will flex laterally, to compensate for expansion. or contraction in the length of said structural. element caused by temperature changes.

3. A structure having at least one elongated structural element. of a" material which expands and contracts due to temperature: changes and at least one column secured at one end to said structural element at an angle with respect thereto, the other end of said column being fixedly mountedto datum, said column comprising an: upper section consisting of a first member made of a first material and. disposed on one side of the centerline of the column and: a. second member made of a second material having a greater coeflicient of thermal expansion than said first material and disposed on the opposite side of the centerline of the column from said first member, said second member facing the direction in which said structural element expands, and a lower section consisting of a.- third member made of said second material and a fourth member made of said first material, said members comprising said lower section being disposed on opposite sides of the centerline of the column with said third 8 member on the same side as said first member and with said fourth member on the same side as said second member. whereby said column will flex laterally to compensate for expansion or contraction in the length of said structural element caused by temperature changes.

4. A structure according to claim 3 wherein the structure includes a plurality of columns spaced along said structural element, the column near.- est the end of said element having the greatest lateral flexural movement and the additional columns having progressively less lateral flexural movement as they are spaced inwardly from the outermost column.

LYMAN C. RIGGLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number. Name Date.

183,160 Haughian Oct. 10, 1878 2,204,791 Davis June. 18,1940 2,220,690 Stupakoff Nov. 5, 1940 2,336,408 Matthews Dec. 7, 1943 OTHER REFERENCES Construction Methods, June 1942, page 97. 

